Greater New Orleans

Greater St. Stephen branching out to Joy Theater

When the twinkling lights of the Joy Theater at 1200 Canal St. lit up last year, the first time in eight years, it delighted all who loved the historic theater. Sunday brings another reason to celebrate the theater's new identity as a multivenue live entertainment center.

Greater Joy, a new campus marking an expansion of Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church, holds its first worship service at the theater beginning at 11:30 a.m. Senior pastor Debra B. Morton will preach.

Worship services at Greater St. Stephen's main campus at 5600 Read Blvd. will move to a new time of 9:30 a.m. to accommodate both campuses.

"Need Joy? We are on a mission to meet the needs of people," Morton said.

The recent renovation of the Canal Street area near the Joy Theater and the great shopping, entertainment and restaurants of the downtown area are a draw, Morton said.

"Our goal is to spread joy and to participate in the resurgence that's taking place in the area," Morton said.

The Joy Theatre opened in 1947 but closed permanently as a movie theater in 2003. Last year, the NOLA Theatre District, a development company, restored the exterior to its original look and completed major innovations inside.

Angela Young, spokeswoman for Greater St. Stephen, said the theater's location fits well with Morton's passion for the city.

"Her ministry and her heart is urban ministry," Young said.

Young said all people, including tourists, professionals and the homeless, would be welcomed to the Greater Joy services. The Joy Theater is located on the streetcar line along Canal and Elks Place.

Greater St. Stephen Church met in three locations: eastern New Orleans, Uptown and in Marrero, with a membership of more than 20,000 before Hurricane Katrina.

The Uptown location on South Liberty, the least damaged by the storm, was destroyed by fire months after the church returned to the facility.

Following Katrina, Bishop Paul S. Morton, the third pastor to serve the 75-year-old church, planted a church in Atlanta now known as Changing a Generation Full Gospel Baptist Church. Debra Morton took over the leadership of the New Orleans congregation.

Greater St. Stephen's outreach ministries include a focus on education, music and fine arts, marriage and family ministry, and programs for business leaders, youths and single adults. Young said a vital component is its Conquering Cancer ministry.

"We go beyond the four walls of the church to meet the needs of the people," Young said. For information, visit www.gssmin.org or call 504.244.6800.

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Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church hosts a free barbecue each Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at 5800 Canal Blvd. Youth Works, a faith-based service organization directing teams of volunteers at the church this summer, sponsors the event to provide volunteers a time of fellowship with New Orleans residents.

All are invited. For information, contact Candace Schaedel at 504.4994 or visit gracenolachurch.blogspot.com.

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R.S.V.P by July 10 for the Cocktail Fundraiser for Mental Health to be held at the Holy Comforter Chapel, 2220 Lakeshore Drive, Aug. 10 at 8 p.m.

Entertainment will be provided by D. J. Captain "Chiggy Chiggy" Charles. Appetizers, cocktails and a raffle are featured. A requested donation for the cocktail attire event is $45. To R.S.V.P., call 504.810.1236 or email peopleshealth@hotmail.com.